Pulp molding dies



Sept. 27, 1955 H. E. LAMBERT 2,718,826

PULP MOLDING DIES H. E. LAMBERT PULP MOLDING DIES Sept. 27, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17, 1952 Sept. 27, 1955 H. E. LAMBERT2,718,826

PULP MOLDING DIES Filed Jan. 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Shea?I 3 24 by u Sept 27,1955 H. E. LAMBERT 2,718,826

PULP MOLDING DIES Filed Jan. 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Shedl 4 United StatesPatent Giiice w2,718,826 Patented Sept. 27, 1955 PULP MLDLQG BEES HarryE. Lambert, Gary, Ind., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Central FibreProducts Company, Quincy, Ill., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationJanuary 17, 1952, Serial No. 266,945

8 Claims. (Cl. 92-54) This invention relates to pulp molding dies of thetype which are provided with wire mesh screen material overlyingdrainage surfaces of the die and to the method of making the same.

The die of the present invention is especially designed for and adaptedto the manufacture of relatively large articles in which the surfacecontour comprises portions which are disposed in rather widely separatedhigh and low planes. Examples of articles of this type are socalledfruit packing trays such as are illustrated in the Friday United StatesPatent 2,351,754, various types of egg flats such as have upwardlyextending egg seats and downwardly extending hollow posts and othermolded pulp articles for packing various fragile articles.

It has long been known that in molding dies for pulp articles havingportions in such widely separated planes it is diilicult, if notimpossible, to draw or form a single piece of wire mesh screen into thenecessary shape without objectionable distortion.

Thus in the Ball United States Patent 183,444 a die structure isdisclosed in which there is a main wire screen sheet, the size of theentire article, arranged in a single plane, the main wire screen sheetbeing provided with a number of spaced openings each adapted to receivea separately formed wire mesh dome. The wire mesh dome is provided witha lower flange portion which is positioned in the main sheet opening andin the plane of the wire screen main sheet so as to form an extensionpartly in the plane of the main sheet. Thus the dome portion extendsupwardly the entire distance from the plane of the main sheet to thehighest point or plane. According to the Ball patent the flange portionof the dome is secured to the adjacent edge portion of that part of themain sheet forming the opening, by sewing or stitching the dome portionto the main sheet so that the dome portion and the main sheet constitutea unitary screen sheet. In the Ball arrangement all of the draw ordisplacement of the wire between the highest and lowest planes of thearticle to be formed must be provided in the dome portion alone. Thisacts as a limiting factor as to the extent of the distance between thehighest and lowest planes which can practically be provided because thewire screen material is capable of only a limited amount of distortionor stretching without rupture orother deformation as either makes itunilt for its intended purpose or so weakens the material as to resultin premature breakage in use.

Furthermore the matter of stitching the various domes in place is alaborious operation and does not permit of the ready removal andreplacement of damaged dome portions.

Another approach to a solution of this difficult problem has been toprovide a plurality of vertically disposed foraminous die sectionsassembled in edge to edge relation with separate pieces of wire meshscreen, each conforming to the molding face of one of the die sectionsand having llange portions which underlie the customary clamping ring atthe top of the die and other flange portions which project from thedeepest plane of the molding surface in directions normal orperpendicular to the general extent of the molding surface.

It has also been suggested that a single foraminous die structure beprovided with a plurality of slots extending across the molding surfacesat the deepest areas or plane of the die, the slots dividing the die asa whole into a plurality of vertical sections, each vertical section inturn being covered with a separate wire screen. In both of theinstances, to which reference has just been made, each screen extendsfrom the highest plane to the lowest plane of the molding surface. Thereis thus a very considerable amount of draw or deformation requiredconsidering the fact that there are flange portions in the highestplane, and also in the lowest plane, which llan ges are perpendicularlydisposed relative to each other and also intermediate portions whichmust be substantially oiset from the plane of other portions.Furthermore, along the meeting edges of the various separate screenselongated grooves are formed which in the finished article result inundesired irregular ridges which deface the intended smooth surface ofthat portion of the article facing the wire screen during the formingoperation.

In another die structure heretofore designed for molding pulp articlesthe structure includes a main die body having a working face with waterpassages therethrough, there being wire screen means on the Working faceand conforming to the contour thereof and a plurality of foraminousmembers separate from the wire screen and spaced apart on the workingface, extending outwardly therefrom and being removably secured to theworking face. Such a die structure has features of advantage in that itmakes for a simpler die structure as a whole, permits the molding ofarticles wherein parts of the articles to be molded are in rather highand low planes, permits part of the projection of the article to beformed by shaping the main wire screen and the remainder by theformation of the removable members with the line of separation in aplane parallel to the working surface. These features simplifymanufacture and assembly of the die as a whole and also facilitate themaintenance and repair.

In a molding operation with a die of this kind, however, pulp would attimes enter an annular space formed at the base of the removable memberand the adjacent main screen resulting in the formation of a iin orflash extending around the inside of the article in a plane coincidentwith the junction of the base of the removable member and that of themain sheet-like body of the article. Such a fin or ilash had certaininherent objections. It made difcult the removal of the green moldedarticle from the die. It also interfered to some extent with the nestingof the articles in a stack for shipment and more particularly made moredilllcult the subsequent separation of the articles in the stack onefrom the other for use.

Also, when the removable support of the die structure is drawn up tight,there is danger of the llange of the foraminous member, which isdisposed under the base of the removable support, being squeezed in sucha manner as to cause it to flow or move outwardly from the base.Whenever this action obtained the shaped t of the corner which joins theflange to the base of the body of the foraminous member moved outwardlyaway from the edge of the base of the support. The result is to loosenthe engagement or ilt of the foraminous member on its support so thatthe hollow members on the body of the molded article were misshapenedandl uniformity of shape of such hollow members became impossible. Also,such action resulted in increasing the size of the tins, beforementioned, which is objectionable.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a diestructure which retains the advantages of the general die structure,last above mentioned, and at the same time overcomes certain of theobjections inherent therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a die of the kindmentioned which eliminates the formation of the ns or tlashes on thearticle molded thereon, whereby the article may be more readily removedfrom the die, whereby better nesting in a stack is possible, and wherebyarticles so stacked may be readily separated from each other, whenrequired.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a die structure ofthis kind wherein the hollow foraminous members. are held against alateral spreading at the base thereof, thereby maintaining a better iiton the associated support and at the same time preventing thedeformation of such foraminous members.

Again it is an object of the invention to provide a die of this kindwherein both the foraminous member and its support are formed to coactin providing structure in the ridge where two walls of the formed hollowmembers are joined, which structure resists rolling of the wall inwardunder the action of axial pressure imposed upon said member, therebypreventing collapse or a breaking down of said member.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others,together with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as thespecification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the base plate and superposed wirescreening, comprising parts of the complete die, part of the wirescreening being broken away in order to show the underlying base platein full lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a corner of the moldedpulp article of the type which may be produced by the die of thisinvention.

Fig. 3 is a section through the molded pulp article on the line 3 3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a corner of the mainscreen sheet which constitutes part of the die structure.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but showing removableprojecting members in position overlying the main screen sheet andshowing molded article in dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a fragment of the die on a scale enlarged withrespect to the scale of Fig. l, with a fragmentary part of the moldedarticle thereon, and With parts of the forming screen on the face of thedie body broken away better to show the underlying part.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the die astaken on the line 9 9 and on a scale of about three times that of Fig.8, the molded pulp article however being shown by dotted lines better todisclose the die structure.

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a supporting device for one of thehollow projection forming wire mesh members attached to the working faceof the die body, substantially on the scale of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the member appearing in Fig. l0 on thescale of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a certain crevice sealing ring employed inconnection with the base of the member appearing in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of parts appearing in section in Fig. 9, on ascale enlarged thereover and which will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view through parts appearing in Fig. 13 astaken on the line 14- 14 thereof, and

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view through corner parts of a number ofthe articles such as are molded upon the die, showing the manner inwhich said articles nest in a stack and further showing the absence ofany iin or ash thereon.

The invention, as by way of illustration and not by way of limitation,embodies a die structure for molding articles from pulp, each of whichincludes a sheet-like body and longitudinal and transverse intersectingrows of spaced apart hollow projections on one side thereof, with eachprojection being of a truncated shape and including an outer annularwall that inclines upwardly and inwardly from its base on the sheet-likebody terminating as a ridge into which a cup-like inner wall merges,Such an article is best exemplied in a molded cushion pad or flat usedin packing eggs in a crate, wherein the hollow projections affordcushioned seats for the eggs. Also in the present instance, the saidprojections are of circular shape when viewed from above, but they mayhave other shapes without departing from the invention.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the nvention illustratedin the drawings, the improved die includes a rigid rectangular die body10 having a flat marginal portion 11 on one side thereof that surroundsa raised or terraced portion 12, the die body being thicker in thelatter portion than in the marginal portion. The die body is providedwith a plurality of laterally spaced slots 13 for the passage of waterthrough the body.

ln the raised or terraced portions of the die body are laterally andlongitudinally extending rows of evenly spaced recesses 14 centrally ofeach of which is a hole 15 that opens through the other face of the diebody. The purpose of said recesses and holes will appear later.

The first mentioned side of the die body, in its raised or terracedportion 12, is provided with a shallower recess 16 centrally betweeneach four adjacent recesses 14, the bottom surface of the recess 16being in the plane of the top surface of the margin 11.

Upon the rst mentioned side of the die body a wire mesh means 17 isprovided, the same being contoured within its margin to snugly engagethe raised or terraced portion 12 of the die body as well as the shallowrecesses 16 therein. The margin of said wire mesh means overlies a partof the margin 11 of the die body. The marginal part of the wire meshmeans is secured to the die body by means of a hold down frame 18 which,in turn, is secured to the die body by screws 19 that pass through saidframe and wire mesh margin, being threaded into the die body. The inneredge 20 of the hold down frame 1S defines the effective edge of theactive or working face of the die as well as the outline edge of thesheet-like body 21 of the molded pulp article of the type which may beproduced by the die.

In the present instance the mesh means 17 comprises two sheets 17a and17b of wire mesh, sheet 17a being of relatively coarse mesh and beingengaged with the contoured side of the die body 10 while the sheet 17bis of iner mesh and being positioned in overlying contacting engagementwith wire sheet 17a. Both sheets of wire mesh screen have registeringholes 17C therein of a size and shape matching the recesses 14 in thedie-body, with which they also register.

Associated with each recess 14 of the die body is a supporting member 22substantially frustroconical in shape. The supporting member 22 includesan outer annular wall 22a that is tapered upwardly and rearwardly fromits base and an inner convexed wall 22h which joins the outer wall toform an annular ridge 22C, the portions thus defining a cup shapeddepression 23. Depending from the central portion of the supportingmember 22 is a boss 24 that tits snugly in its associated recess 14,said boss having a centrally threaded hole 25. A retaining member 26extends through the hole 15 in the die body from below to engage thethreaded hole 25 in the boss, said member having a bottom end head 27for engaging the bottom surface of the die body. The member 26 has acentral water drainage passage 23 therethrough that opens through ascrew driver slot 29 in the head 27. It is obvious that by turning themember 26 in the proper direction it will draw the member 22 toward thedie body 10.

The bottom surface of the wall 22a of the member 22 is flat at its outerperiphery and tapers upwardly and inwardly at its inner periphery asbest appears in Figs. 9 and 13. In said walls 22a-22h are water passages30 and in the ridge of the member is a plurality of arcuately spacedradially extending recesses 31.

The exposed surfaces of the walls 22a-22h are enclosed in a preformedcovering of wire mesh 32, the margin 32a thereof being turned or tuckedunder the fiat and inwardly tapering peripheral surface portions of thebase of the wall 22a, as best appears in Fig. 13. This mesh is contouredin the forming thereof to t snugly upon said surfaces of said walls 22a-22h as well as to have portions thereof fit snugly in the recesses 31 inthe ridge 22C of said member 22, as best appears in Figs. 9, 13 and 14.The margin 32a of the mesh 32 is bent to t around the peripheral corneredge of the base of the wall 22a and with which it is rmly held by meansshortly to be described.

Disposed between the mesh margin engaged with the base of the wall 22aand that portion of the mesh means 17 which it overlies, is an annularmember or ring 35 having a at base portion 36 and an upstanding outerperipheral ange 37 which is of such height as to terminate as a at topedge 38 disposed in a plane slightly above the base of the wall 22a ofthe member 22. The outer face of this ring follows the inclination ofthe outer surface of the wall 22a while the inner face is perpendicularto the base portion 36 and this face of the flange is snugly engaged bythe corner of the mesh 32 where it joins its flange 32a by the roundedcorner before mentioned. This ange acts as a stop shoulder therefor toprevent outward movement or spread of the wire mesh at said corner.

When this ring is in place, as best appears in Figs. 9 and 13 and themember 26 is tightened up to draw the member 22 toward the die body, theange 32a is squeezed between the base of the wall 22o. and the base 36of the ring. This action tends to force the flange 32a radially outward,which action however is prevented by the flange 37 of the ring 35. Thusmember 22 may be drawn toward the die body with suicient force to clampthe parts firmly in place without danger of the wire ange 32a beingpushed outwardly away from the adjacent wall of member 22 as heretoforeoccurred at times in somewhat similar die structures not provided withthe ring member 35.

It is advisable to make the base of ring 35 quite narrow in order thatwhen the member 22 is drawn down strong internal clamping pressure willbe applied against the main wire screen sheet 17. Such action will tendsomewhat to compress the wire screening where the ring base engages thesame and will aid in preventing the flow of water toward the center ofthe hollow underside of member 22. Because of this action and because ofthe sharp corner 37e` of the ring it is not possible for the pulp to owinwardly and thus form an objectionable n or ridge as occurs in priorart structures.

` It will also be noted the bottom edge of the wall 22a extends upwardlyand inwardly thus presenting a narrow bottom portion 2211 whereby strongpressure is applied to the wire screen material between the portion 22uand the ring flange 36, thus tending to compress the screen materialtherebetween. This action prevents the flow of pulp water therethroughand avoids the formation of an objectionable n or ridge which mightotherwise occur at that place.

It will be understood from the foregoing description of the die thatwhen the die parts are fully assembled the die may be used in theconventional suction method of pulp molding to form a contoured articleconforming to the contoured upper or outer surface as formed by the mainscreen sheet 17, the screen members 32 and ring members 35 associatedwith the supporting members 22, within the area defined by the inneredge 2i) of the ring 1S. The specific die structure illustrated isdesigned to produce what is known in the trade as an egg at, afragmentary part of which is illustrated in the perspective view Fig. 2and a fragmentary section of which is illustrated in Fig. 3.

It is evident that the molded article, which the die structure of theinvention is designed to produce, is composed of portions disposed inwidely separated planes. Thus there are the upwardly projecting portions41 which form over the screens carried by the various members 22, thusproviding the concave central portions 41e which are designed toaccommodate the ends of eggs and hence are termed egg seats in thetrade. The highest part of the egg seat is the annular ridge 41E. Thelowest part of the molded article is the portion 21 which constitutesthe outer marginal portion of the fiat and the portions 42 which areformed between groups of egg seats, as best illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 7and 9. Additionally there are the portions 40 which are disposed in aplane intermediate the highest and lowest planes of the article.

As is clear from the drawings and description, the construction is suchthat part of the upwardly projecting portion can be formed in the mainscreen sheet and the remainder in separate screen members which arecarried by the removable members 22, with a line of separation parallelto the working face of the die body. This makes it feasible to producearticles wherein parts are positioned in widely separated planes withoutdanger of objectionably distorting or weakening the screen wire. That isto say, part of the offset or projection may be formed in the mainscreen sheet (see Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7) and the remainder by the screenmaterial fitted around the removable supporting members 22.

Also as before explained, provision of the annular flanged ring 35 atthe base of the members 22 avoids objections which obtain in similararrangements that are not so equipped.

In the storage and transportation of ats, a portion of one of which isshown in Fig. 2, it is customary to arrange them in a stack with the eggseat of the underlying at telescoped within the hollow underside of thenext overlying flat. A considerable number of such flats would normallybe arranged in a single stack. In order to provide a compact bundle,pressure would then be applied to press the flats into intimateconforming relation with adjacent flats of the stack. When flats weremade on dies which resulted in the formation of an internal fin, theapplied pressure would force the fins of one flat into the outer wallsurface of the projection on the underlying flat, thus forming anannular groove in the latter corresponding in shape to that of the n.Not only did this groove deface the external surface of the flats, butthere resulted such interlocking of the various ats in the stack as madeseparation of the flats quite diicult.

As before explained, in the absence of the ring member 35 there would bedanger of the wire screen portion 32a being forced outwardly of the baseto a greater or lesser extent on the various members 22. Hence thiswould result in the formation of egg seats or projections of slightlydifferent sizes. Obviously if such ats were arranged in stacked relationit would be diicult to intert the flats in telescopic relation and ifpressed into position might result in causing distortion of theprojections. In any event it would result in such a tight t as to makeit difficult to separate the ats one from the other. With the presentdie structure the ring 35 serves as a sizing ring so that the variousprojections forming the egg seats are more nearly of the same size, thusavoiding certain of the objections to which reference has been made.

As appears in Fig. 15 the pulp stock assumes a curved shape between thesurface 40 and the upstanding wall 41. The exact shape of this curvatureand of the thickness of the stock in the adjacent portion of wall 41 isdiicult to control within tine limits since the shape and thickness aredependent upon a number of factors. Thus there may be variations in thecharacter of the pulp stock and its flow which cannot always becontrolled and which would result in the radius of curvature being moreor less and in the thickness of the adjacent wall varying. As clearlyappears in Fig. l5, which illustrates fragmentary parts of a number ofilats arranged in a stack, the die ring 35 results in the provision ofan annular recess 43 which forms a relief space to accommodate oversizeportions of adjacent underlying wall portions. This arrangement againpermits the close nesting of the ats in a stack without danger ofcausing distortion of the hollow projections and without causing suchtight gripping as to make separation of the flats of a stack djicult.

The specific die disclosed in the present application is designed tomold a so-called egg ilat which is used in packing eggs in connectionwith the conventional filler strips in a standard egg case. Theprojections which form the egg seats, it is noted, are circular inshape, which shape is advantageous for the reception of articles, suchas eggs. However when the seats mentioned are of the round or circulartype, a downward pressure thereon tends to roll the circular top edge orridge thereof inwardly and downwardly. This results not only in changingthe original cross-sectional contour of the seats, but also weakens themso that in some instances they collapse and lose the cushioning actionthey are designed to afford. If means could be provided whereby thecircular seat could be used and the objectional tendency to roll theridge overcome, it would be advantageous. This has been accomplished bythe die structure herein disclosed.

As before explained, the removable supporting member 22 is provided witha plurality of recesses 31 in the ridge portion thereof. Also, as beforeexplained, the supporting member is covered with wire screen 32 whichconforms to the outer wall surfaces of the member 22 and as clearlyshown in Figs. 13 and 14 also conforms to the shape of the recesses 31.The purpose of this depression and the conforming of the wire screenthereto is to form a thicker layer of pulp across the ridge at thevarious points where the depressions or recesses 31 occur.

There is thus provided at each depression a thicker layer of stock whichresults in the formation of a cross rib-like portion 31B. Since thereare twelve recesses 31 in the ridge of the member 22 it is obvioustwelve cross ribs 31R will be formed. These twelve ribs considerablystrengthen the ridge and aid greatly in resisting the tendency of theridge of the seat to roll inwardly and downwardly when downward pressureis applied axially. At the same time the formation is such as will notdestroy the desired cushioning action of the seat.

It should be understood that in molding pulp articles the tendency isfor the stock to build up on the screen to a uniform thickness and toconform to the shape or contour of the screen. As a matter of rstimpression, therefore, it might seem that the pulp would follow thecontour of the screen where it conforms to the shape of the recesses ordepressions 31. It has been found possible, however, to build upadditional thickness at these points, as is best illustrated in Fig. 14,by a proper correlation of stock thickness of limited dimension acrossthe depression or recess and depth of the depression. As by way ofillustration and not by way of limitation, the desired result can beobtained if the dimension D across the dip in the wire is of the orderof 1/16. The depth DD is not so critical. Good results can be obtainedwhen the depth DD is about 3sth the thickness of the molded stock. Thatis to say, under such conditions, the pulp will build up to greaterthickness at such places, thus forming the desired reinforcing ribs forthe ridge of the egg seat. It should be added that the thickness of theflat is a factor. If the flat were much thinner there would be atendency for the stock to follow the contour of the wire screen at thegroove points. On the other hand, if the thickness of the at or sheet isgreater, it is possible to increase the size of the groove withoutcausing the stock to follow directly the contour of the wire screen onthe side opposite the wire screen. It is believed the foregoingstatements will be sufficient to teach those skilled in the pulp moldingart the principles which underlie the formation of thickened portionswhere required.

In the use of the dies for molding purposes certain parts will, fromtime to time, wear out and require replacement or repair. The projectingportions are generally subject to greatest Wear and tear. However, thesupporting members 22, screen material carried thereby and the rings 35are all readily removable so that they may be repaired or replacedwithout disturbing the main die body and main screens, if those parts donot require attention.

Should the main screen sheet require repair, it can, of course, also beremoved from the die body by simply removing the clamping ring 18.

I claim:

l. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, wire screening in conforming contact with andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion, other wire screening inconforming contact with and overlying the outer face portion of saidoutstanding rigid die member, means comprising an annular sealing membersurrounding and confining a portion of the wire screening on the outerface of the rigid die member adjacent the base thereof, said annularmember having a base part which is positioned between the base of theoutstanding rigid die member and the adjacent part of the wire screeningwhich overlies the outer face of said die body, and means for securingthe outstanding rigid die member and said rigid die body together withsaid adjacent part of the overlying screening and said base part of theannular sealing member therebetween.

2. A die construction according to claim l, in which there is aplurality of the outstanding rigid die members, their associated wirescreening and annular sealing members being spaced apart as units overthe wire screening which overlies the rigid die body.

3. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, wire screening in conforming contact with. andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion, other wire screening inconforming contact with and overlying the outer face portion of saidoutstanding rigid die member and having a part which underlies theannular base thereof, means comprising an annular member surrounding andconfining a portion of the wire screening on the outer face of the rigiddie member adjacent the base thereof, said annular member including apart which is positioned between that portion of the screening whichunderlies the base of the outstanding rigid die member and the adjacentpart ofthe screening which overlies the outer face of the die block, andmeans for securing said outstanding rigid die member and said rigid diebody together with said adjacent part of the overlying screening, saidbase part of the annular member and said underlying screeningtherebetween,

4. A die construction according to claim 3, in which there is aplurality of outstanding rigid die members, their associated wirescreening and annular scaling members being spaced apart as units over.the Wire screening which overlies the rigid die body.

5. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, Wire screening in conforming contact with andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion, other Wire screening inconforming contact with and overlying the outer face portion of saidoutstanding rigid die member and having an annular part which underliesthe annular base thereof, a sealing member having an annular upstandingange portion surrounding and confining a portion of the wire screeningon the outer face of the rigid die member adjacent the base thereof andan angularly disposed annular base part which is positioned between saidannular screening part which underlies the base of the outstanding rigiddie member and the adjacent part of the wire screening Which overliesthe outer face of said die body, and means for securing the outstandingrigid die member and the said rigid die body together with said adjacentpart of the overlying screening, said annular base part of the sealingmember and said annular underlying screening part therebetween.

6. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, wire screening in conforming contact with andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion, other wire screening inconforming contact with and overlying the outer face portion of saidoutstanding rigid die member, means comprising an annular membersurrounding and confining a portion of the wire screening on the outerface of the rigid die member adjacent the base thereof, said annularmember having a base part which is positioned between the base of theoutstanding rigid die member and the adjacent part of the wire screeningwhich overlies the outer face of said die body, and means for detachablysecuring the outstanding rigid die member and said rigid die bodytogether with said adjacent part of the overlying screening and saidbase part of the annular member therebetween,

7. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, wire screening in conforming contact with andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion,

other wire screening in conforming contact with and overlying the outerface portion of said outstanding rigid die member, a sealing memberhaving an upstanding ange surrounding and confining a portion of thewire screening on the outer face of the rigid die member adjacent thebase thereof, said sealing member having a base part which is positionedbetween the base of the outstanding rigid die member and the adjacentpart of the Wire screening which overlies the outer face of said diebody, the outer surface of said ange being substantially parallel to theadjacent outer face of the upstanding die member and the inner facethereof, being disposed to form an acute angle with said outer face, andmeans for securing the outstanding rigid die member and said rigid diebody together with the overlying screening and annular member parttherebetween.

8. A die for forming molded pulp articles, comprising a rigid die bodyhaving outer and inner faces and being provided with water drainagepassageways therethrough, wire screening in conforming contact With andoverlying said outer face, at least one outstanding rigid die memberhaving water drainage passageways therethrough and having an annularbase portion and an outer face portion that slopes upwardly and inwardlyfrom its base and a depressed inner face joining the outer face as aridge, said ridge having a plurality of transverse recesses that open attheir ends through said inner and outer faces, other wire screening inconforming contact with and overlying the outer face portion of saidoutstanding rigid die member including the said transverse recesses,means comprising an annular member surrounding and confining a portionof the wire screening on the outer face of the rigid die member adjacentthe base thereof, said annular member having a base part which ispositioned between the base of the outstanding rigid die member and theadjacent part of the wire screening which overlies the outer face ofsaid die body, and means for securing the outstanding rigid die memberand said rigid die body together with said adjacent part of theoverlying screening and said base part of the annular membertherebetween.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 183,444Ball Oct. 17, 1876 804,432 Rivers Nov. 14, 1905 1,861,125 Lytle May 31,1932 2,364,383 Neesen Dec. 5, 1944 2,388,828 Chaplin Nov. 13, 19452,424,189 Randall July 15, 1947 v 2,585,049 Shepard Feb. 12, 19522,600,265 Randall June 10, 1952 2,601,815 De Reamer July 1, 1952

